"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them" -Walter Elias Disney

Padawan No More, A Master I Am

Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, chances are you’re probably right.

I graduated in 2015 with my Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations while triple-minoring in sports business, advertising and nonprofit administration. Graduate school had crossed my mind many times as an undergraduate, but I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it and that it held no value for me – I was wrong.

As of July 27, 2015, “More than 16 million people in the US – about 8 percent of the population – now have a master’s, a 43 percent increase since 2002.” Earning a bachelor’s degree used to be a notable educational attainment. Now that bachelor’s degrees are so common, job seekers who want to stand out are turning to master’s degrees.”

Me thinking that a master’s degree held no value was silly. I went back to school, dreading the return of homework, overpriced textbooks, late night study sessions, carb and sugar overloads, and the general lack of social life that generally accompanies hard-working graduate students. To my surprise, flowing from bachelor’s to master’s was easy as can be. I found friends, traveled, explored, laughed, cried, sprouted more unnecessary gray hairs, and I’m sure developed more worry lines in my face – all to get that piece of paper declaring me a “master”.

The pinnacle of my successes was to speak to my fellow graduates, and family, at our hooding ceremony where I was able to address my reservations about graduate school and encourage others to overcome their own personal obstacles – and I was able to thank those who had led me to that moment in my life through telling my story. [See speech here]

My piece of advice to anyone who has reservations pertaining to continuing their education – do it, and do it your own way.

In the wise words of Master Yoda, “Always pass on what you have learned.”